Families were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=65) or control (n=70) group.

At enrollment and at two consecutive well-child visits, pediatricians gave intervention families : 1) an age-appropriate bilingual children's book, 2) a bilingual handout explaining the benefits of reading to children, and 3) literacy-promoting anticipatory guidance.

Ten months after enrollment we reinterviewed 130 parents.

Results

Both groups were comparable at baseline.

At follow-up, intervention parents were more likely to read books with their child at least 3 days/week (intervention=66% vs control parents=24%) and to report that reading books was one of their three most favorite things to do with their child (intervention=43% vs controls=13%). Intervention families also had a greater number of children's books and total books at home. (...)